Successful ‘farmer-scientists’ recognized

CEBU, Philippines-  The Provincial Government has recognized 20 “farmer-scientists” in Argao town who have been successful in adopting sustainable agriculture, a skill they learned through the Farmer-Scientist Training (FSTP).

The Provincial Information Office said a report based on interviews with farmers indicates that most of them have earned “millions” yearly.

The interviews were conducted by an FSTP team from the College of Agriculture of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños. The team said the interview among the graduates is intended to “determine the economic and social impact of FSTP on their living conditions and socio-economic status.”

The report was made during the 20th FSTP Anniversary Conference and Program held at Colawin Elementary School in Argao in December last year.

One of the farmer-scientist is Jose Ruben of Barangay Cansuje in Argao who received recognition during the 7th FSTP Congress in October last year. After years of hard work, Ruben was able to build a two-story house and acquire a brand new 2014 model pick-up.

Meanwhile, his neighbor, Marciano Agrabio, who graduated from FSTP in the late 1990s, was also able to build his own concrete house and purchased a van.

 Agrabio who now serves as barangay captain of Cansuje was also able to send his three children to college and all three are now professionals.

Apart from Ruben and Agrabio, the other successful farmer-scientists are:

 • Joseph Montañez of (Barangay Apo)

•  Dennis Gil (Barangay Mompeller)

•  Vivencia Sarona (Barangay Colawin)

• Felicidad Orteza (Barangay Mompeller)

• Jovencio Lanticse (Barangay Cansuje)

•  Julian Geverola (Barangay Gutlang)

• Marcus Barricuatro (Barangay Bulasa)

• Guillerma Villanueva (Barangay Langub)

• Leonito Manzanades (Barangay Apo)

• Elijah Comaling (Barangay Cansuje)

•  Juanito Lanticse (Barangay Bug-ot)

• Paz Caminse (Barangay Linut-od)

•  Danilo Zamora (Barangay Linut-od)

• Isidro Sarona (Barangay Colawin)

• Ariston Panerio (Barangay Colawin)

• Joel Templa (Barangay Mompeller)

• Ferma Templa (Barangay Mompeller)

•  Julita Mamites (Barangay Cansuje)

 Argao Municipal Agriculturist Wilfredo Abear was also a farmer-scientist who graduated on December 9, 1994. Aside from his salary, he earns P7,000 a week from his vegetable plantations, which produces eggplant, bottle gourd, squash and string beans.

Governor Hilario Davide III earlier assured support for the program by allocating funds.

The FSTP in Argao was initiated in 1994 by FSTP National Program Leader Dr. Romulo Davide, a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and Capitol’s consultant on agriculture.   (FREEMAN)